The Inside and Out of the Cerwin Vega Digital Series D-3

I had intentions of refoaming this speaker until I compared the new foam surrounds to the originals and realized they where too big and had to order new ones. So seeing as I had them apart already why not show everyone each component in this very popular series Cerwin Vega loudspeaker.

[@Skyline2348]

My dad has (/ had) a set of D-3's but he had a massive fire on Christmas night '22 and he said that they are toast. The box was destroyed, the speakers were melted and the rest was ruined by water. My entire childhood had a soundtrack of bands like Yes, REO Speedwagon, Sammy Hagar, AC/DC, Rush, and so on... with those speakers providing the concerts. The last time I was there, we were playing a few games of Billiards to U2's entire Discography. I still can't believe they will no longer be around to add music to our family memories... Such a tremendous loss!

[@SavingVegas]

That is terrible. House fires are so devastating sorry about the loss.

[@mattieice2988]

Bro, Love Watching your Videos!!! Keep them Coming, I leared alto from You Appreciate it Peace Out Ice Man👍👍👍

[@1cookgs]

Thank you for producing this informative video.

[@RonRivet]

I acquired a set of mint D7`s from the original owners that they bought in 1988. Cabinets were made in Canada. I refoamed them and they sounded amazing. I sold them and the guy is really happy! :)

[@Anonymous__Prime]

What is a good receiver for the 10” D3’s? What should I look for as far as watts per channel from receiver?

[@edjackson4389]

I use vintage drivers in my custom bluetooth speaker builds (they typically look cooler) and I love those tweeters! They sound great, and they can't be pushed in by tiny fingers.

[@weegeemike]

Love your channel bro. Me and my pops are huge Cerwin Vega fans. He has a pair of the big D(9?) and a pair of D3's with a newer CV center speaker and newer CV woofer with its own build in Amp. Has it all hooked up to a Yamaha 7ch Amp and it's the loudest home audio setup I've ever heard. These new tinker toy little speakers just can't produce the sound of these big old Vegas.

[@paulvogt3808]

Broooo..loosing my mind lol you are awsome. Wen I was a Yong man I had a set of re 30's I miss them so bad .they burned in a house fire about 20 some years ago .

[@SavingVegas]

That sucks, they are awesome speakers. I just sold a set of Re30's, they were mint and all original, even the foam but they would have to have them done in the next few years I'm sure. It's hard to let some speakers go but there is no better feeling then bringing home a new set and I dont have room to keep them all. My VS-120's though will never leave my hands. I have never had any other 12 inch 3 way speakers that have taken as much abuse as those have and sound great doing it. I can't tell you how many times I have tripped the tweeter cut out and they just keep on singing.

[@chriswoten5947]

Any way you could lead me in the direction of what cables go in the back of these speakers? I have these in my basement and want to use them. Struggling to set them up. -thanks

[@biscuitninja]

Excellent work! Although, I highly recommend you get a camera stand and maybe an alternate camera. Bring your items to the camera, not camera to your items. I am currently working on some Dx1s

[@Hubjeep]

I re-foamed a pair of 250 SE's (thrift store find like yours) about a decade ago. Are these just a newer (90's?) version of the D-3? Mine are powered by a basic older Sony receiver and they crank in the garage. Music, KZbin, Podcasts... Many hours a week! I also have a pair of 300 SE's I still have to re-foam (same Salvation Army store, crazy). The "bass boost" button is handy switching between music and news/how-to videos.

[@carolelimoges412]

I have d7's that came with replaced woofers ( jvc I think). They work and sound ok, but I've been looking for a set of 122w2 woofers for years now to return them to original spec and they seem to be impossible to find. Do you have any spare 122w2's or can you recommend the best replacement? Im also in Canada.

[@jefffarrow4784]

Not sure if you're going to get this just curious I have a set of d3s was wondering how you adjust the frequency level on the back what is the purpose

[@markwilliams5792]

Unbelievable price on that Pioneer SX-680 I have The Sx-450 I paid $160 for and ready have $100 parts and labor into it. Just picked up the SX-750 I believe they are the best sounding receivers

[@SavingVegas]

I do really enjoy their sound thats for sure. The 680 sure packs a punch for only a 30 watt per channel receiver. I had it hooked up with my Altec Lansing Santana 879As and it made a good match.

[@tbone9694]

I have a D3 pair, but one of the speakers has the HED123 midrange. Could this be from the factory or was this likely a replacement by a previous owner? Will it perform the same, or should it be replaced to match the other?

[@SavingVegas]

Both mids are very similar, I have seen lots of D series speakers with both style. Never a pair with one of each so good chance it is a replacement but shouldn't be a difference in sound. It is better than having a 2 way car audio speaker shoved in as a replacement, I have seen that done more than once lol.

[@georgesmith4639]

Would you happen to know where I can find a schematic for the D-3 crossovers? I tried Audiokarma but no luck.

[@SavingVegas]

So I run into this a lot. Forums are a great source for that infomation. Unfortunately like youself I have come up with nothing for some models. I have got a lot of good information on some Cerwin Vega groups on Facebook.

[@tonygets]

Hello. Great vid. Can you able to recommend a replacement midrange for my D3’s 10”

[@SavingVegas]

I would try to find an original replacement before anything else. If not it just needs to be replaced with a propet sized midrange that is 8 ohms and preferably has a sealed basket.

[@ricktate8554]

Or maybe a substitute for the T3 ???

[@tommycarl2353]

First Red Flag is the speaker terminals indicating that the speaker is just cheap junk. At least they could have put some cheap 5-way banana Jacks on them. The crossovers look cheap and any good speaker company would not be putting 2 mids that were made 3 months apart. They won't be matching sound wise but i guess the CV guys won't notice. I used to own a pair of D-9s and later got ahold of a pair of RE-38s. A dealer let me audition a pair of B&W 805 Matrix bookshelf speakers which I put on the CVs. after about a day of listening to the 805s I never hooked up the CV speakers again. The sound was a day & night difference. I also had the ASW 800 Matrix 12" sub which sounded better than 2 CV 15" woofers.

[@SavingVegas]

Kind of an apples and oranges comparison really. Neither the RE-38s or the D-9's were ment for accurate listening but with an amp with lots of good clean power either of those CVs will blow those little B&Ws away. I have some Kef speakers that I enjoy quite a bit but when I want to crank it up I turn to the Vega's.

[@thomasnilsson729]

Hi. I have had problems with simply speakers sending me the wrong rings. I orderd for 154w and they send mi the angeld ones as in atw 15 and told me that it was the same for both. Speaker exchange did send me the right ones.

[@SavingVegas]

I have heard lots of people having issues with Simply Speakers as well lately. Brew City Audio is the go to for Cerwin Vega parts.

[@ss327chevy]

I just bought a set of these at a flea market and one of the tweeters isnt working. Swapped another speaker in and no sound. Tested the original tweeters impedance and it looks good. I am thinking it is an issue with the crossover now? Is there a way I can test power at the crossover?

[@SavingVegas]

Yes, when I troubleshoot crossovers I will remove it from the cabinet just to make it easier. Then tape up all the ends of the wires that go to the woofer and tweeter and the positive for midrange. Then connect the negative lead for the midrange to the mid driver itself and then use a seperate length of wire and connect it to the positive terminal on the mid. Then hook up the crossover to an amplifier through the main terminals as normal. Play some music at low volume and then take the wire that's hooked to the + on the mid and start touching it to crossover starting from the + wire for the mid from ceossover. Work your way through the signal path for the midrange bypassing any coil or capacitors. Process of elimination is all you are doing. Could be a bad cap or solder joint.

[@ss327chevy]

@@SavingVegas Thank you much appreciated!!

[@ricktate8554]

Is there any T3 tweeters out there? Or substitute??

[@SavingVegas]

I have seen lots of used T2 tweeters on ebay but not a lot of T3. I have never had to replace a tweeter on a vs150 before.

[@georgesmith4639]

I recently bought 12" surrounds from Simply Speakers for a pair of Cerwin Vega VS-120 speakers and the internal diameter of those surrounds was about .3" too big. ;(

[@SavingVegas]

I have found a lot of inconsistencies in new foams from all suppliers I deal with. Different sizes and different foam material. Unfortunately we just have to work with whats available.

[@hiphopthriftergarlen]

I just bought a pair E312 black mint cabinets but red foam need replaced what best ones to buy? I paid $75 for pair🤩

[@SavingVegas]

Look up Brew City Audio. He sells on Ebay and has the best quality parts and great service.

[@hiphopthriftergarlen]

@@SavingVegas thanks

[@nguyentienmanh8166]

Where is this speaker manufactured? thanks

[@TeknoLars]

From Cerwin Vega, in USA (from about the 1990's)

[@user-gg1xo6cw1y]

Saigon

[@DrJGarage]

What is the name of the other company you ordered a re foam kit?

[@SavingVegas]

I have gotten my parts from Simply Speakers, Speaker Exchange and Springfield Speaker.

[@DrJGarage]

@@SavingVegas ok i just ordered a refoam kit for my D-3’s from simply speakers, hopefully they fit nicely

[@SavingVegas]

Chances are the inside diameter will be smaller than original so it will cover more of the cone but they will still look good when they're done. Good luck with the refoam.

[@DrJGarage]

@@SavingVegas thanks

[@michaelparker5640]

I would love to do a box swap with my se250s 🧐

[@marvinmurakami8828]

I don't know how accurate Cerwin Vega speakers are but to me they sound great and can play loud as hell. BTW are you related to J K Simmons? You look and sound just like him. I like just about all the movies he's been in especially Spiderman and Whiplash.

[@SavingVegas]

Nope no relation

[@katfat5646]

How do I contact you. I have a set I need help (information) on. Will pay for advice

[@SavingVegas]

You can contact me via email at [e-mail].

[@choronzo202]

Nice vid man! I like the nerdy details. So is Simply Speakers loosing it?!

[@SavingVegas]

I'm not to sure but I was a little disappointed. I guess when you see a replacement part for a speaker list that it fits multiple models that it may not be exact for some.

[@choronzo202]

@@SavingVegas I get the benefit economically speaking. But the foam seemed to alter the speaker linear movement/excursion. I’m not sure but it could seem that the xmas would change when the suspension/foam edge was slightly larger. We are talking millimeters in this case

[@SavingVegas]

@@choronzo202 You are exactly right. I bought a set of AT-12s that someone had installed the incorrect rubber surrounds and it did affect the sound of the woofer.

[@choronzo202]

@@SavingVegas Did you ever try speaker exchange or Brew City audio?

[@SavingVegas]

Speaker Exchange is who I use most. Brew City hasn't had the foam I needed when I needed them so I have not tried them yet, heard good things though.

[@JoseGarcia-oo4mc]

Excellent thanks

[@user-gg1xo6cw1y]

Saigon